Sunday, November 13, 2011

The Inevitable Has Happened: Occupy Foreclosures

Last night Occupy Oakland's General Assembly did something that is likely to catch on with occupations across the country.

They voted to encourage the occupation of foreclosed properties across their city. After all, the bursting of the property bubble is part of why they're on the streets right now.

There is a movement similar to this under the overall Occupy umbrella, It's called Occupy Vacant Properties, and it has been most visible in San Francisco, where families are even reclaiming their old homes post-foreclosures.

Fire Dog Lake via The Home Defenders League:

My family has been in this neighborhood for 50 years, and since I’ve been evicted, the place has been vacant, like so many homes in the Bayview. Families have been ripped off by banks, scammed by brokers and nothing’s done to them. It’s time for the families and the community to stand up and take back what’s theirs.

Considering all the attention focused on Occupy Oakland right now, it wouldn't be surprising if this caught on like wildfire. Plus, in northern cities during the winter months, this could provide spots to house protesters and maintain the occupations.

And according to Raw Story, there is at least on member of Congress supporting this move. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) has been calling for families to squat in their foreclosed homes since the beginning of the crisis. While what Occupy Oakland is suggesting isn't exactly the same thing (as the protesters will probably stay in homes they never bought), Kaptur likes the idea all the same.